Producers of Desperate Housewives Apologize to Phillipines

Posted on October 4, 2007

The producers of Desperate Housewives got an earful from the Phillipines government over a perceived slur against Phillipino medical personnel that aired during the show last Sunday night.

It caused such an uproar, the producers have issued an apology. During a scene in which Susan visits the ob/gyn he gives her a shocking diagnosis that she thinks is wrong. She then asks to see his medical degree to make sure it's not from the Phillipines.

The apology was sent to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN's bureau in the United States and aired in the Philippines on Thursday following protests by the Manila government. "The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere," cable news channel ANC quoted the statement as saying. "There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," it said.
The episode showed actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, asking during a medical consultation to check "those diplomas because I want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines." The apology was made a day after chief aide to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said the line of dialogue appeared to be a "racial slur."
Philippine Senators said the apology was not enough, and urged their Foreign Affairs Department to lodge a formal protest with the US government. "I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrates the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US," said Senator Miriam Santiago, whose sister is a doctor working in Los Angeles.

It was a funny episode overall -- we especially like the addition of Nathan Fillion to the cast. And Dana Delaney is doing a great job so far as an old friend with a big secret to hide. We're guessing that her daughter isn't really her daughter since she doesn't seem to remember Julie or any of her supposed childhood on Wisteria Lane.